With training-camp fires just beginning to burn brightly around the league, the time seems right to focus on the large number of bright new faces that appear to be gracing more than a few NFL rosters. Turn the page on every NFL season, and considerable turnover is sure to follow, as a host of players inevitably land on new teams via free agency or trade.

Which players will make themselves the most comfortable in new surroundings in 2009? Here are 28 PFW picks — by position. Please note that, due to the current preponderance of 3-4 defenses — as many as 14 teams are utilizing the 3-4 in some form heading into the 2009 season — the following “All-New” team features four linebackers (two outside, two inside).

Quarterback: Jay Cutler / Bears
Windy City pro football fans are still finding it hard to believe that Bears GM Jerry Angelo would have the audacity to trade for an honest-to-God franchise quarterback. Cutler’s cannon arm created an instant buzz in the Bears’ minicamps and OTAs, and expectations are higher than the Willis Tower that the 26-year-old Pro Bowler will greatly improve the team’s previously pedestrian offense. Can Cutler fulfill those expectations despite throwing to only two wide receivers with any real pro experience, in Devin Hester and Rashied Davis? Don’t bet against him.   

Running back: Derrick Ward / Buccaneers
With more teams choosing to lock up quality backs, there were no runners available this offseason comparable to Michael Turner, who went from being LaDainian Tomlinson’s caddy in San Diego two seasons ago to a high-caliber thoroughbred in Atlanta in ‘08, finishing second in the league in rushing behind Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson with 1,699 yards. Ward does, however, provide the NFC South with another quality runner capable of doing considerable damage. It would not be a shock if the ex-Giant takes a giant step forward and earns the No. 1 RB job in Tampa over incumbent Earnest Graham, which would be no small feat.

Fullback: Leonard Weaver / Eagles
Weaver’s offensive skills make him unique at a position where the premium is most often put on blocking rather than making plays. But the former Seahawk can do both, as Donovan McNabb is soon to find out from a very athletic player who has what it takes to become a very intriguing new weapon for the Eagles quarterback.

Wide receiver: Terrell Owens / Bills
Forget all the typical T.O. shtick and just look at Owens’ numbers in his first years with his last two teams. In his debut season with the Eagles in 2004, he caught 77 passes for 1,200 yards (15.6 yards per catch) and 14 touchdowns in 14 starts. In his debut season with the Cowboys in 2006, he caught 83 passes for 1,180 yards (13.9 yards per catch) and 13 TDs. In a Bills offense that is expected to open way up, Owens still figures to get the job done, even at the age of 35.

Wide receiver: T.J. Houshmandzadeh / Seahawks
He probably won’t catch at least 90 passes, like he has each of the last three seasons, but Houshmandzadeh, who has been making some pretty brash predictions since setting up shop in the Pacific Northwest, will probably catch more touchdowns and be a key force in what could be a very diverse and lively passing attack. Out of the shadow of Chad Ochocinco, Houshmandzadeh is eager to become a featured attraction. Reports out of Seattle indicate he has wasted no time establishing a good rapport with Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck, who is in need of a new security blanket to replace the departed Bobby Engram.

Tight end: Tony Gonzalez / Falcons
With sincere apologies to Kellen Winslow in Tampa Bay, Gonzalez gets the nod at this position, providing an already very balanced Falcons offense featuring QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner and WR Roddy White with another reliable weapon. At the ripe old age of 33, Gonzalez remains a top-notch target and fills a real need in Atlanta for a pass-catching tight end.

Center: Jason Brown / Rams
One of the most sought-after players in free agency, the ex-Raven provides a dramatic 320-pound upgrade up the gut in a revamped Rams offensive line. It hasn’t taken long for Brown to impress new Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo with his football intelligence, work ethic and willingness to be a team leader.

Offensive guard: Stacy Andrews / Eagles
Although he has a milder temperament than his brother, Shawn, who will be moving from right guard to right tackle on the Eagles’ offensive line, Stacy still figures to do a solid job as the new right guard in the appropriately named City of Brotherly Love, providing great size (6-7, 342) and extremely long arms that could make life very difficult for opposing rushers.

Offensive guard: Frank Omiyale / Bears
He primarily played tackle with the Panthers, but the Bears believe Omiyale can more than hold his own as the new starting left guard, replacing Josh Beekman. The Bears like Omiyale’s work ethic and consider him a legitimate up-and-comer.

Offensive tackle: Jason Peters / Eagles
Peters left a lot to be desired in Buffalo last season after a prolonged holdout and injury problems made their presence felt. But he’s hungry to prove his ’08 campaign (11½ sacks allowed) was an aberration. When he’s in shape and has his mind right, Peters is capable of being one of the league’s more dominating left tackles.

Offensive tackle: Orlando Pace / Bears
Speaking of dominating left tackles, that’s what Pace was with the Rams before injuries started to take their toll on the seven-time Pro Bowler. While he’s no longer in the elite class of tackles, Pace still provides an upgrade over the departed John St. Clair at left tackle. As a serviceable short-term fix on Cutler’s blind side, he should more than fill the bill.

Defensive end: Antonio Smith / Texans
Smith really came on in the playoffs for the Cardinals last season, and his presence opposite Mario Williams gives the Texans’ D-line a scary, new look on the edges. Quick and relentless with excellent hands, Smith should be an upgrade as a pass rusher over the departed Anthony Weaver.

Defensive end: Igor Olshansky / Cowboys
A former Combine workout warrior of the highest order, the ex-Charger is expected to take over the departed Chris Canty’s DRE position in the Cowboys’ base defense. Head coach and former Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips knows what he’s getting in Olshansky, who played both DE spots for Phillips in San Diego.

Defensive tackle: Albert Haynesworth / Redskins
We’ll give you 41 million reasons — the number of guaranteed dollars the massive Haynesworth will be receiving courtesy of Redskins owner Daniel Snyder. While there are concerns he might not be as motivated now that he has struck NFL gold, Haynesworth has quite simply been the most dominant tackle in pro football the past two seasons.

Defensive tackle: Chris Canty / Giants
Talk about an embarrassment of riches. The addition of Canty, who performed admirably for the most part as a member of the Cowboys, makes an already excellent Giants defensive line even more formidable. Canty is expected to play mostly as a three-technique after having played primarily as a five-technique in Dallas. Whatever the technique, his ability to consistently disrupt passing lanes should come in more than a little handy.

Inside linebacker: Bart Scott / Jets
Scott follows Rex Ryan, his defensive coordinator in Baltimore, to the Big Apple, ready and raring to become the tone-setter in the Jets’ refurbished defense. A tireless worker who rarely misses a tackle, Scott and his brash attitude should also play well on Broadway.

Inside linebacker: Larry Foote / Lions
One would think Foote would be sorry to be leaving the defending Super Bowl champions for a team that put together one of the worst seasons in league history last season. But this hometown boy is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a three-down linebacker in a defense that figures to improve under new head coach Jim Schwartz, who earned his spurs as the Titans’ defensive mastermind. Foote hits hard and has good timing.

Outside linebacker: Julian Peterson / Lions
Obtained in a trade with the Seahawks in exchange for Cory Redding, Peterson is another newcomer with local roots (he starred at Michigan State) who has five Pro Bowl berths under his belt. He slipped a bit as a playmaking force on the strong side for Seattle last season, but he is still quite capable of being a steady playmaking force as both a pass rusher and in coverage. 

Outside linebacker: Mike Peterson / Falcons
Peterson, who is expected to start on the strong side for the Falcons after having played mostly inside under head coach Mike Smith in Jacksonville, gets the nod over Jason Taylor, who is back where he belongs in Miami but in what figures to be more of a situational role. Peterson is a solid player whose familiarity with Smith should be a plus.

Cornerback: Lito Sheppard / Jets
A change of scenery should help this two-time Pro Bowler, whose contract concerns hastened his departure from Philadelphia. Injuries have been a problem the last couple of years, but Sheppard is only 28 and figures to rise to the occasion with feisty new head coach Rex Ryan creating a delightfully rambunctious new atmosphere.

Cornerback: Bryant McFadden / Cardinals
McFadden missed six games with a broken forearm as a member of the defending champion Steelers last season. But he is considered a major upgrade at left cornerback over the departed Rod Hood, the weakest link in a pass defense that surrendered a league-leading 36 TD passes last season. Arizona’s secondary should be a lot better with McFadden and second-year stud Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie on the corners. It probably will have to be, considering the team’s suspect pass rush, for the Cardinals to remain a legitimate playoff contender.

Strong safety:  Brian Dawkins / Broncos
A perennial Pro Bowl safety, Dawkins has been the undisputed heart and soul of the Eagles’ defense for the past decade. Now more than anything, the Broncos hope the 14-year veteran can provide badly needed leadership in the team’s secondary. New Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels couldn’t find a more qualified candidate to fill that role.

Free safety: Darren Sharper / Saints
Sharper, who has been in the league almost as long as Dawkins (he’s entering his 13th season), should fill a similar new role as Dawkins with the Saints, where his know-how should offset his declining skills. There were other good candidates at this position (most notably Miami’s Gibril Wilson and the Jets’ Jim Leonhard), but Sharper gets our vote.

Placekicker: Mike Nugent / Buccaneers

Punter: Hunter Smith / Redskins

Kickoff returner: Chris Carr / Ravens

Punt returner: Mark Jones / Titans

Long-snapper: Nate Hodel / Patriots

Kickoff is coming! Be sure to buy copies of the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports 2009 NFL preview magazine, as well as the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football Guide 2009, both of which are now available at bookstores, newsstands and retail outlets where magazines are sold. Or order your copies online at PFWStore.com.